Types of genital organs: classification, structure, features

The reproductive function in the life of every person is the basis and biological meaning of the existence of all the peoples of the world. Female and male reproductive systems in the aggregate are organ systems responsible for procreation. In addition to the main reproductive function, they contain responsibility for a number of other vital physiological processes. Individually, each of the systems consists of the genitals, which in men are located in the pelvic section, and in women, in the thoracic and pelvic parts of the body.

Types of genital organs, photos and a large amount of theoretical information are described today, and the information is freely available. However, in addition to the general idea of ​​these systems that are biologically necessary for the continuation of the human race, a modern person needs to understand and navigate the specific functions of reproductive systems and be able to correctly classify them.

The genitals. Which are there? Kinds?

The combination of male and female genital organs forms the reproductive system, which is responsible for the reproduction.

The appearance of the genital organs dates back to the first weeks of fetal development. During this period, the laying of the reproductive system is identical in structure, and by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, each fetus has a gender. Sex chromosomes are responsible for this process, which under the influence of many factors merge and form either a male or female set, on which the sex of the future person depends. Types of genital organs (their classification) depends on their location, as well as the functions that they perform.

Gender difference

Bodies that distinguish a man and a woman:

  • internal - those that are responsible for internal secretion and perform an exocrine function;
  • external - those that are characterized by integumentary and sensory functions.

In both sexes, the basis of the reproductive system are special glands - the testes and ovaries, which are responsible for the production of germ cells. On the basis of this process, the distribution of genital organs into species occurs. Let's consider them in more detail.

Female genital drawing

Female organs

Female genitals are a system in the body that is responsible for procreation. In addition to the main function, the female genital organs (the types of which are discussed below) affect the condition of almost all systems and the course of many physiological processes. They are represented by organs in the thoracic and pelvic parts of the body.

Female genital drawing

The mammary glands are located in the thoracic region, which are responsible for the external secretion of hormones, are responsible for the production of milk, which the woman feeds the child. In medicine, this concept is called lactation. The appearance of the genitals located in the thoracic region depends on the structure of the woman’s body and weight and is determined solely by individual characteristics. The main component of the female breast is the mammary gland, but in addition to it there is the pectoral muscle, pectoral nipple, areola, mammary tributaries and mammary arteries, which are responsible for blood circulation.

In a man, these organs are in a rudimentary state, since they have no biological significance, and in the process of development of the male body they acquired a different appearance from the female.

In the pelvic section is the bulk of the female genital organs, which are divided into internal (pelvic organs) and external (vulva and surrounding organs).

Internal organs in women

female organ chart

The internal genital organs of a woman include the ovaries, uterus, vagina and fallopian tubes.

The ovaries are called the paired gland, which produces female germ cells. The muscles of the lower abdomen and ligaments are responsible for the location and retention of the ovaries in the body. Due to the external secretion of these organs, eggs are formed, which form a germ in the process of fusion with the sperm. The ovaries also secrete sex hormones responsible for the health of women.

The fallopian tubes are another equally important organ in a woman's body. In medicine, this organ can be called an oviduct, since its main function is the removal of an egg from the ovary into the abdominal cavity during ovulation. In addition, the egg and sperm merge in the body of the fallopian tube, after which, with the flow of fluid in the tube, the fertilized cell moves to the uterus, where the fetus develops normally throughout the pregnancy.

The female uterus is an organ consisting of their muscles and located near the bladder. The cavity of this organ is covered with a large number of blood vessels, and when the uterus is connected to the vaginal canal, a neck is formed. During a healthy pregnancy, a fertilized egg is transferred through the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it attaches to the muscle wall, and then develops into the fetus.

The appearance of the female genital organ (photos of the uterus and the organs surrounding it are presented in the article) depends on the age and number of pregnancies in a woman.

The vagina is an organ that is a transition from the internal reproductive system to the external. By its structure, the vagina is a tube, it is endowed with many vessels and glands, which are responsible for some proportion of sexual arousal and satisfaction. In fact, the erogenous zones on the walls of the vagina are much smaller than in the external organs of the female reproductive system. This fact is confirmed by the fact that many women are practically not sensitive to the penetration of the male genital organ into the vagina. All because the vagina is a multilayer organ, contains a large number of muscles and performs much more important functions for the body, including:

  • Sexual function, due to which male reproductive cells enter the uterus and fallopian tubes, where the fertilization process takes place.
  • The birth function, which is due to the passage of the fetus through the birth canal from the uterus and cervix.
  • Barrier function that protects a woman's body and her internal organs from infections and germs. The walls of the vagina are covered with a large number of layers of tissues, and therefore are capable of self-cleaning and the secretion of protective secretions.
  • The excretory function is characterized by the ability of the vagina to reduce secretion with the help of muscle contraction along with pathogenic microorganisms and other substances foreign to the female body.

Characterizing the types of female genital organs, photos of which you can find in the article, it is impossible not to say that they originate in the process of intrauterine development, after which they undergo multiple changes associated with both natural processes and external interventions. Thus, the hymen, which is located on the eve of the vagina, indirectly refers to the internal genital organs. This is a thin elastic fold, which is destroyed during the first sexual intercourse, after which a woman, subject to puberty, is considered capable of conceiving and bearing a child.

Female reproductive system

Types of external genitalia of a woman in the vulva

The external reproductive organs of a woman include all the organs that make up the vulva. This is the vestibule of the vagina (external opening) and various structures around (labia and clitoris).

Description and classification of the labia

The labia is the integumentary and simultaneously protective organ in the external genitalia of a woman, which originates from the pubis, passes into the genital fissure and is pumped at the beginning of the anus. The labia consists of dense adipose tissue and has the shape of folds. They are located within the border of the genital gap.

The labia is divided into small (internal) and large (external). The first consists of folds of mucous and soft tissue, located inside the labia majora. They form the foreskin of the clitoris, are covered with mucous membranes and have no hairline, in contrast to the labia majora. The latter consist of sebaceous glands and venous plexuses, and therefore are able to protect the vagina from infection and microbes. The genital lips also contain Bartholin glands, which, when excited, secrete a secret that promotes a favorable course of sexual intercourse and the movement of the sperm through the vagina into the uterine cavity.

Characteristics of the clitoris and its functions

The clitoris is the most sensitive organ in the female reproductive system, which is located between the labia minora and is responsible for erectile function. Sensitivity is given to him by the nerve endings that are inside him. The clitoris is similar in nature to the male member, however, it is significantly inferior to it in size and has no excretory ducts. Due to the presence of nerve endings and cavernous bodies, which were laid back in the first weeks of fetal development, the clitoris is capable of erotic arousal similar to that of men.

Below it is the urethra, which serves only for excretion of urine, while the same channel in the male penis also serves for excretion of seminal fluid.

Male genitals, testicles

Male organs

The reproductive system of the male body is represented by several organs. These types of male genital organs are capable of reproduction and production of biological material for this process. In addition to these functions, male organs produce hormones that are responsible for the formation of the male body and its full hormonal development.

male genitals

The primary sexual characteristics in men have been laid since the prenatal development - these are various types of the external genital organs and the internal reproductive system, but the secondary signs - the male reproductive system reaches its formation only during puberty. At this time, a change in voice occurs, the body is covered with massive hair and muscles, and due to the activation of male hormones, the young man experiences increased sexual attraction to the opposite sex and a desire for reproduction.

Types of genital organs in men can also be divided into internal and external. The first include the testes, prostate gland and vas deferens. External organs include the scrotum, in which the testes are located, and the penis with the urethra, which removes urine and seminal fluid from the body.

Male internal organs

The testicles are one of the most important organs in the male reproductive system, as their main function is the production of sperm. In the testicles, many seminiferous tubules with spermatogenic cells are noted. It is thanks to them, as well as to the supporting cells of the sustenocytes, that sperm are formed. The seminiferous tubules together with the epididymis form a cavity where mature seminal fluid accumulates.

The vas deferens depart from each of the two appendages of the testicles and flow into the urethra. In the process of reaching a climax during sexual intercourse, the sperm pass to the urethra through the vas deferens.

Represented in the body, the types of male genital organs have another - the prostate. She is responsible for the formation of seminal fluid with a healthy composition. This is an important glandular organ.

male reproductive system

Male external organs

The male penis is the main penis. It includes the urethra and three internal hollow structures. All of them have a common skin, consisting of muscle tissue, which is penetrated by hundreds of thousands of nerve endings. In a relaxed state, the penis is much smaller in size than with sexual arousal. Thanks to the tubular structure of the organ, it is capable of blood supply, which characterizes an erection. The penis begins with the pubic triangle, and ends with the head, which is a strong erogenous zone. The head is covered with a protective layer of tissue - the foreskin, which is attached to the bridle.

Human Reproductive Health

Gynecologists, therapists, surgeons and endocrinologists are responsible for the health and normal development of the female reproductive system. The female body is much more complicated than the male one, since a lot depends on hormones and the state of the microflora of the internal genital organs, and therefore it is necessary to monitor the normal development of the girl from childhood with the help of teenage gynecologists in order to avoid future problems with conception, pregnancy, delivery and women's health in general.

The male urologist is responsible for male health, in the direction of which, if necessary, treatment is possible with a surgeon or a narrower specialist in urology - andrologist. It is also important to monitor the genitals of a boy from childhood.

In general, the health of the reproductive system directly depends on the correctness of the stages of its development, lifestyle and organ care. That is why it is extremely important to know the types of genital organs, their features and functions that this or that organ performs in the system.

To maintain the health of the reproductive system, it is necessary to visit specialists in the field of gynecology and urology on time, as well as lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and not abuse bad habits, and monitor the state of your body.

The article talked about the types and functions of male and female external and internal genital organs, about the properties of the reproductive system, which determines the work of various organs, and which specialists should be contacted in case of detection of health problems.


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